Automotive Quality Engineer (APQP / PPAP)

At Kelly®, we’re passionate about helping you find a job that works for you. How about this one?

Kelly is seeking an experienced Automotive Quality Engineer to join a premier manufacturing client. This is an excellent opportunity for a quality professional with a strong background in automotive manufacturing, quality systems, process improvement, and customer quality requirements.

If you have hands-on experience with APQP, PPAP, IATF 16949, SPC, and manufacturing quality processes , we want to hear from you!

Position Details

• Pay: $38.00 per hour

• Schedule: Monday–Friday, 7:00 AM–4:00 PM

• Shift: 1st Shift

• Employment Type: Long-Term Contract

• Contract Duration: 9–12 months

What's a Typical Day as an Automotive Quality Engineer?

As an Automotive Quality Engineer, you will support the implementation, maintenance, and continuous improvement of quality systems within an automotive manufacturing environment. You will work closely with manufacturing, engineering, suppliers, and customers to ensure products and processes meet quality standards and customer requirements.

Quality Systems & Process Control

• Develop, implement, and maintain process control plans to ensure consistent product quality and manufacturing performance.

• Conduct process capability studies and Gage Repeatability and Reproducibility (Gage R&R) studies.

• Monitor manufacturing processes for compliance with control plans, engineering specifications, and customer requirements.

• Prepare and maintain quality documentation, including control plans, inspection instructions, visual aids, and work instructions.

• Support compliance with IATF 16949, ISO 14001, and customer-specific quality requirements.

• Perform Layered Process Audits (LPA) and assist with corrective actions.

APQP, PPAP & Quality Engineering

• Participate in Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities for new and existing manufacturing programs.

• Prepare, review, and submit Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) documentation in accordance with customer requirements.

• Develop and support Statistical Process Control (SPC) activities to improve manufacturing consistency and reduce defects.

• Perform capability studies to evaluate manufacturing processes and identify opportunities for improvement.

• Review engineering drawings, specifications, and quality requirements to verify product conformance.

• Partner with manufacturing and engineering teams to address quality concerns and support process improvements.

Customer, Supplier & Continuous Improvement

• Investigate customer quality concerns and assist with implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.

• Support supplier quality activities and coordinate resolution of quality-related issues.

• Participate in customer visits, quality reviews, and manufacturing audits.

• Collaborate with production teams to ensure products meet fit, function, reliability, durability, and appearance requirements.

• Identify opportunities to improve manufacturing efficiency, reduce defects, and strengthen quality processes.

• Apply Lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to support operational excellence.

• Maintain accurate quality records, reports, and documentation.

This Job Might Be an Outstanding Fit If You Have:

• 2–3+ years of quality experience , preferably within automotive manufacturing.

• Hands-on experience with APQP and PPAP documentation and submissions .

• Working knowledge of IATF 16949 automotive quality standards .

• Experience with SPC, process capability studies, and Gage R&R.

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.

• Experience developing and maintaining manufacturing control plans and quality documentation.

• Familiarity with customer quality requirements, supplier quality concerns, and manufacturing audits.

• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills with the ability to identify root causes and implement corrective actions.

• Experience working with manufacturing, engineering, quality, and production teams.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Outlook.

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

• Ability to work independently, manage priorities, and support quality improvement initiatives.

• Willingness to travel to manufacturing facilities or customer locations when necessary.

Education Requirements:

• High school diploma or GED required.

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Quality, Business, or a related field preferred.

• Equivalent relevant manufacturing quality experience will be considered.

Why You'll Love Working With Kelly

• Competitive pay of $38.00 per hour .

• Consistent 1st-shift schedule, Monday through Friday.

• Long-term contract opportunity lasting approximately 9–12 months.

• Opportunity to work with an established automotive manufacturing organization.

• Gain valuable experience supporting automotive quality systems, engineering teams, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Work with a recognized staffing leader committed to helping you advance your career.

What Happens Next?

Once you apply, a Kelly recruiter will review your qualifications and reach out if your experience aligns with the position. If selected, we'll guide you through the next steps in the hiring process.

Helping you discover what's next in your career is what we're all about, so let's get to work. Apply today!

About Kelly

Kelly connects talented people to companies in need of their skills. We're proud to support our employees and offer opportunities to grow professionally while working with leading employers.

Kelly is an equal opportunity employer committed to employing a diverse workforce and providing accommodations for people with disabilities in all parts of the hiring process.

As part of our promise to talent, Kelly supports those who work with us through a variety of benefits, perks, and work-related resources. Please note: The following benefits reflect Kelly's general offerings. Eligibility may vary by assignment, location, and job type. Kelly offers eligible employees voluntary benefit plans including medical, dental, vision, telemedicine, term life, whole life, accident insurance, critical illness, a legal plan, and short-term disability. As a Kelly employee, you will have access to a retirement savings plan, service bonus and holiday pay plans (earn up to eight paid holidays per benefit year), and a transit spending account. In addition, employees are entitled to earn paid sick leave under the applicable state or local plan. Click here (https://www.mykelly.com/help-support-working-with-kelly-us/#Benefits) for more information on benefits and perks that may be available to you as a member of the Kelly Talent Community.

Get a complete career fit with Kelly ® .

You’re looking to keep your career moving onward and upward, and we’re here to help you do just that. Our staffing experts connect you with top companies for opportunities where you can learn, grow, and thrive. Jobs that fit your skills and experience, and most importantly, fit right on your path of where you want to go in your career.

About Kelly

Work changes everything. And at Kelly, we’re obsessed with where it can take you. To us, it’s about more than simply accepting your next job opportunity. It’s the fuel that powers every next step of your life. It’s the ripple effect that changes and improves everything for your family, your community, and the world. Which is why, here at Kelly, we are dedicated to providing you with limitless opportunities to enrich your life—just ask the 300,000 people we employ each year.

Kelly is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, age, marital status, pregnancy, genetic information, or any other legally protected status, and we take affirmative action to recruit, employ, and advance qualified individuals with disabilities and protected veterans in the workforce. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to the Kelly Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment. Kelly participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S.

Kelly may use AI-powered tools during the recruitment and hiring process. For full details, including how Kelly uses AI, your rights, and how to request a reasonable accommodation, visit the Recruitment Artificial Intelligence Notice (https://www.kellyservices.com/hubfs/myKelly/Resources/Employment\_Policies/Recruitment-Artificial-Intelligence-Notice.pdf?hsLang=en) .

Kelly Services is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action employer. We welcome, value, and embrace diversity at all levels and are committed to building a team that is inclusive of a variety of backgrounds, communities, perspectives, and abilities. At Kelly, we believe that the more inclusive we are, the better services we can provide. Requests for accommodation related to our application process can be directed to Kelly’s Human Resource Knowledge Center. Kelly complies with the requirements of California’s state and local Fair Chance laws. A conviction does not automatically bar individuals from employment.